I am hoping for input from the collective knowledge & experience of NAM contributors --- in spec'ing the suspension for our R50.

• My 15yr old son & I are building a 2003 R50 Mini into a street/autox (maybe open track days down the road). We bought it last fall, and have only done the basics on it so far.
  

We live in Montana, and due to the weather, need some level of compliance in our suspension, as that helps maintain grip in inclement weather in the fall and spring. I also say this because my son is worried that his dad (me) is going to spec his suspension to be as stiff & noncompliant as my dedicated race 1984 VW Rabbit GTI, which has 400# front/ 500# rear spring, Koni double adjustables with my own handbuilt coilovers, delrin bushings everywhere, huge front sway bar, and on and on... so basically race car that is great for bombing runs up curvy Canyons, and/or racing... but brutal on bumpy roads, and struggles with rain to some extent, and can't operate at all in snow.

I am thinking we will use aftermarket sway bars to do the final tuning of the suspension in terms of body roll/stiffness, and balance front to rear, as needed.
Our build will for sure take a couple years to put it all together... and will ultimately include all new poly bushings (hopefully including ones to add camber & caster), plus engine mounts, etc...
We just got 949Racing 6UL wheels (15x7) w/ 205/50/15 tires.

So... we have a vision/"dream"... it's a car that handles like it's on rails, is fun & competitive in autox, but still has a level of street compliance.
I think it's possible --- the R50 is definitely starting from a better place --- geometry wise --- than the VW GTI, so I think we can get most of the same handling ability that we get out of the GTI, but with much better road manners. In doing so, we are not planning on super stiff/ high spec springs. Like 5k or 6kish.

So - Looking at coilover kits, we are looking for suggestions. My own search has lead me to three pretty different systems

• I had originally wanted to put a MeisterR system on (ZetaCRD), but in communicating with the owner Jerrick, it seems that he may not be able to get new R50 kits built since demand has dried up, though I have not gotten a definitive answer yet on availability.
• Next kit is the ST XTA ---- this is the system with adjustable camber plates and single adjustable shocks. This is the system that is supposedly built at the same factory in Germany by KW.
• Lastly, though quite different in spec, I wonder if when it's all said and done, maybe the basic BC Racing BR coilover kit with Swift Springs would be the best performing system. BC is a known quantity to so many people. From my experience, Taiwan is quality manufacturing.

All 3 kits are in a similar price range... which we need to stay within to keep the domestic peace.

So... Thoughts?
The actual component spec of the 3 systems are quite different.

• What are the strengths & weaknesses of the components of each system?
• Performance differences?
• Are there other coilover kits we should be looking at?

Thank you!